More cross-stitch

'The Quilter'

This was a delightful sampler to work, using a variety of traditional quilting designs.

It seemed to grow very quickly.

More needlework

'The Village'

The picture measures 3.5" by 2.5" and was worked in single thread.

It took an age to complete!

First of a selection of my craftwork

I have painted a variety of  Poppies in watercolour but this  is one I  worked in Cross-stitch.

Scotney Castle

An unusual view of Scotney Castle in Kent 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/.../w-scotneycastlegarden.htm

Sunset in the mountains, completed and modified.

The colour used for the mountain in the top picture is too pink so, after completion, I washed out much of the mountain colour and applied one with a stronger ultramarine base. (As in the lower picture, which is an improvement).

I'll be doing this picture again as it was a challenge and worth doing in colours that better complement each other.

The effect of 'low cloud' trapped in the valley is a 'happy accident'. which I am pleased with.

Sunset in the mountains. Stage 2

The mid-landscape has been added, using the wet-in-wet technique again.  It was too dry by rhe time I added the trees so didn't obtain the effect of them showing above mist.
Nor was I using the best quality watercolour paper,  Arches Aquarelle 140lb Rough, which would have given me more working time before it had dried.  The quality of the paper is such it will accept more water without buckling and is obtainable from: www.saa.co.uk  It's worth paying the extra for paper of this quality.

Sunset in the mountains

First stages of a wet in wet scene.

Last archive for the time being.

More from the archive

 Another picture painted, with advice from Steve Cook.

More Snow

 Oh no! Not more snow!

A painting from my archives, created during one of Steve Cook's workshops.

Palais de l'Isle

We had  a lovely holiday in Annecy and I'm pleased the picture turned out as well as this.

History of Annecy Gaol

This dramatic  building, officially called Palais de l'Isle, and which ended up being used as a gaol, has a rich history . Visit  Palais de l'Isle   for information about it's history.
My  completed picture will be posted next time.

Annecy Gaol, three

  Gaol building still to finish, also need for corrective work to centre building on the right hand side.

A Rainy Day

An intermission  from Annacy, more suitable for today's weather!!  Windy and wet!

Annecy Gaol, stage two

Washes for the water and the roof tops

Annecy town gaol. Stage 1

                                           A view of the old gaol in Annecy.
 

 First stage.

 Sky: Cobalt with a touch of sap green.  Naples yellow was run in along the horizon.

Experimenting with watercolour.

Fun and games using different colour mixes and techniques.
1) The original photograph.                           




2) First stage, needing more reflection centre right
 and more work on the trees.



 The finished painting. I'm quite pleased with it,
given the variety of things I experimented with.

Small figures

Stage two of the sketches.
A very satisfying exercise.

Sketching & Painting figures

This is the book I am working from and  it  is available through Amazon                                                                                 

Sketching figures

It's time I improved my sketching skills and in order to do this I am working from an excellent book,  'People in Watercolour' by Trevor Waugh.

These sketches are part of the first project in Trevor's book.

The book is so well laid out I am positive my sketching will improve by following the projects he recommends.

Two Girls, for Sue's birthday

Here are our two delightful girls.  I'm so pleased with the finished pictures.  Thanks Pat!

 This is Mini.

 

...and here is Cooper.



 

Sue says:

   They are brilliant, love them.  Mark reckons he can send his camera back.

Cold weather continued

....and so the snow continued!  Looks beautiful but we're pleased to experience it only from indoors. We're very sorry for the birds and the main job today has been refilling the feeders.

Coldest winter for many years.

It snowed hard during the night and this was the scene we awoke to yesterday morning. The birds were very busy on the feeders all day and even after dark. It was a delight to see the wide variety of birds that visited.

Cooper completed

The method was very strange and  I struggled with it at first.
I am happy with the finished picture and am very grateful to Pat for her support when I was ready  to give up.

Cooper stage three

At this stage I thought 'Oh, dear!'

Cooper stage two.

Finding this method very strange, good job Pat was there to reassure me!!

Cooper in the making.

My friend Pat has agreed to show me how she paints her animals.  This is the outline for Cooper, my daughter's brown poodle.

Here is the photograph I worked from.

New Year

 

Happy New Year.

Spring and sunshine are not too far away.  Best Wishes everyone.